Meet The Chug Dog – Chihuahua Pug Mix Facts And Traits

Published: November 1, 2018Updated: September 11, 2019

Are you indecisive between a Pug or a Chihuahua? Then considering the Chug Dog, also known as Chihuahua Pug Mix, might be a good idea. Read on and discover everything you need to know about this adorable and comical crossbreed.

Chihuahua Pug or the Chug Dog is a cross breed, of, as you probably guessed, the Pug and a Chihuahua. This toy breed is also known under the names of Pughuahua or Pugwawa, and its popularity has been on the rise lately.

When this hybrid dog was bred is still a mystery, the only thing that is known is that it developed in the 2000s.

So if you were thinking between getting a Chihuahua or a Pug, maybe this cute Chug dog is just the right fit for you. But first, let’s describe all the aspects you need to know about this Chihuahua Pug mix.

Physical Appearance

Getting a crossbreed can sometimes bring surprises in the matter of the appearance of your new dog. The genes that the crossbred dog inherits from its parents vary from case to case. So, with a hybrid dog, you might always get something that you didn’t expect. But, that’s what makes getting a hybrid dog so particular because your little pup will always remain a little more special than the other dogs.

The Chug is a toy dog, and it’s generally a sturdy and muscular dog. Chihuahua Pugs have a rounded face with brown almond-shaped eyes. Their nose is short and dark, and it reminds a bit to the one of a miniature boxer.

You can expect that your pup might differ from other Chugs in their fur and the shape of their ears.

Some Chugs may have ears like Pugs, folded and flop down, while others inherit medium-sized, folded at the peak ears from the Chihuahua. Whatever your Chug puppy ends up having, his ears will surely make him look funny and adorable.

The coat of a Pugwawa also differs according to the parent breed genes. But what could you expect? First of all, let’s make it clear, even though this toy dog might not cause strong allergic reactions in people with allergies, they are still not hypoallergenic. So if you’re allergic to dogs, you should rather consider some of these breeds.

The coat of your Pughuahua can be short and dense as in Pugs, or it can be soft and medium in length as in Chihuahuas. Depending on the Chihuahua parent, your Chug pup might also have medium to long fur.

What about the colors? Well, it seems that even in this aspect, chugs remain quite unpredictable. The color of their coat goes from black to white and includes a specter of cream to brown colors. So basically, you can get a Golden Chug, a black or a chocolate one.

Chihuahua Pugs generally reach the height of 6 – 14 inches (15 cm – 35cm) when they are fully grown. They weigh about 10 to 20 pounds (4.5-9 kg) making them a real toy dog that you can carry around everywhere.

Temperament/Personality

When speaking about the temperament of the Chug Dog, you really don’t know which traits will be more present, the Pug’s or Chihuahua’s common personality traits? That’s the beauty and excitement of choosing a crossbreed because each puppy might be different and surprise you.

There are 50% chances that your Chug will behave as a courageous and lively Chihuahua, or be rather comical and playful like a regular Pug. You will probably be very lucky to get a Pughuahua pup that combines traits from both breed parents. In this case, your Chug will have a playful and loyal personality.

However, there are chances of getting a bad mix of traits too. This one would combine Pug’s stubbornness with Chihuahua’s yappy side. Ouch!

But don’t get too judgy yet, these cute dogs are most affectionate, friendly, energetic and loyal. They are quick learners but can get easily distracted. In fact, when well-behaved Chugs make perfect therapy dogs for nursing homes or hospitals.

His character traits will surely make you laugh each day as this crossbreed is so adorable it always ends up melting people’s hearts.

You should be aware that Chugs, in the same way as their breed parents, often overestimate their size and power. You probably saw a Chihuahua barking relentlessly at a much larger dog. Well, even if this might be quite comical, you have to pay attention to training and socializing your dog at a young age, in order to avoid confrontation with larger dogs that might end up in injuring your Pughuahua by accident.

Chug dogs can also get suspicious towards strangers, but as soon as they get used to the visitor they will become friendly and playful.

Grooming

Shedding of Chugs also varies according to their Chihuahua breed parent’s coat traits. But usually, you will deal with moderate to heavy shedding.

Remember to brush your dog’s coat at least once or twice a day. This way its fur will be smooth and shiny and it will also reduce the amount of hair in your apartment.

If you really want to reduce brushing times, then try to do it at least once a week.

Remember that Chihuahua pugs are not hypoallergenic.

Training

Because of the traits received from their breed parents, Chugs can sometimes inherit stubborn or too independent attitude. In order to have a well-behaved Chihuahua-pug, you have to be very consistent in training and you might even have to involve a dog trainer.

Even if these toy dogs learn quickly, you will have to lead them in a firm but gentle way and keep their focus by making training fun and short. You should start training your Chug as soon as possible, even at the age of eight weeks. This way you will treat the potential stubbornness or disobedience.

A common problem in toy dogs is that their owners treat them differently than large dogs, and as a result, their dogs develop the so-called “small dog syndrome“. This behavioral problem occurs when small dogs don’t get enough exercise and gets easily bored because of not getting enough attention. Even if large dogs require more exercise time and wider spaces in order to get their daily dose of running, that doesn’t mean you should neglect your small dog’s needs and don’t provide him with enough training.

In order to tame the Chihuahua traits of overestimating their power and size, you should start socializing your Chug with other dogs and people at a young age. This will prevent your Pughuahua to become overly suspicious or aggressive towards new puppies.

Exercise

Chihuahua Pugs are very adaptable to their owner’s pace of life and have low-moderate activity levels. However, a Chug can be more active and energetic and require more play time if he’s more like his Chihuahua parent.

Nonetheless, you won’t have to take your Chug out for really long walks. If you walk him once a day, it would definitely be enough. These pups get tired pretty fast and have a higher risk of suffering from respiratory issues, so it’s better to avoid exhausting exercises.

Another way to keep your Pugwawa active is by providing him with toys that will keep them busy even when you’re not around.

Feeding

When it comes to feeding your Chug, you have to be aware of the voracious nature of the Pug parent. Overeating is common in Pugs, and might also be present in Chugs. So keep the portions under control because overweight in both Chugs and Pugs may worsen some health issues.

You will want to buy a food dog especially produced for high-energy small dogs. They like meat, so make it the main ingredient of the food you buy.

Good dosage is key to keeping your Chug healthy and vital. One cup of dog food a day will satisfy his nutritional daily needs.

Health and Lifespan

An average life expectancy of a Chihuahua Pug mix is from 10 to 15 years. Generally, they are a healthy breed, which is often seen in crossbreeds. This occurs because the gene pool is much larger and making crossbreeds overcome the parent health condition by birth. However, this doesn’t mean that a hybrid dog can’t still develop certain conditions that his parents were at risk from.

In fact, the most common health issues found in Chugs are the ones that are usually developed in Chihuahuas and Pugs. Let’s check which ones are they.

Respiratory Problems

Eye Problems

Patellar luxation

Hypoglycemia

Brachycephalic facial structure inherited from the Pug, requires a deeper knowledge and understanding of your dog’s health and anatomy. This type of structure comes with a higher risk of respiratory problems due to their flat nose. Also, a proper care of their teeth will be necessary in order to maintain your dog’s overall health.

Face

Pug’s wrinkled skin is one of the traits Chugs inherit. The folds that this type of skin makes have to be regularly cleaned and maintained dry. Any excessive moisture may be an ideal environment for the development of bacteria that will cause irritation and bad smell.

Make sure you check your dog daily and gently pat the folds with a towel. Remember that its skin should be dry.

Teeth

The head structure of the Chug comes with a tiny mouth that doesn’t have a lot of space for teeth. As a result, a lot of flat faced dogs develop overlapped teeth that are more prone to accumulating tartar, and not removing it regularly might cause a gum disease.

You should include brushing their teeth in your dog’s hygiene routine. If you feel that it’s still hard to maintain your dog’s oral health, then reach for your vet when you have to clean its teeth.

Conclusion: Is Chug A Right Dog For You?

If you were ever deciding between an Pug and a Chihuahua, then you probably don’t need us to get the right answer. But if you weren’t attracted to the idea of getting some of the Chug’s parent breeds, then let us help you in order to understand better if this adorable little pup fits your needs.

You should get a Chihuahua Pup if you’re looking for a dog that :

Will make a great companion dog

Prefers living indoors

Doesn’t require long walks

Is cat friendly

Doesn’t require much space

Learns quickly

Prefers older kids

On the other hand, you might want to double think if you’re not looking for the following traits in your dog :

Moderate to heavy shedding

Hypoallergenic fur

Gets tired easily

Can be stubborn

Is not ideal for small kids

Whatever you decide, you have to admit that these crossbreed dogs are just adorable! They will surely be a loving pet if you give them the attention they need and provide them with enough mental and physical stimulation that will bring out all the playfulness these Chugs have for you.

Socializing and training are very important in the early stages as they will prevent all the behavioral problems that might occur in small dogs.

Do you have an interesting story about your Chug? Share your thoughts and stories about Chihuahua Pugs in the comment section.